The legal team counters “Mallika,” affirming that “Chatchat”’s campaign for the 2026 Bangkok governor election fully complies with all laws and regulations, and advises thorough review of laws and regulations before making public comments.
On 4 July 2026, regarding the case Ms. Mallika Boonmitrkul Mahasuk a candidate for Bangkok governor, stated during a lecture at the King Prajadhipok's Institute on 3 July, referring to the campaign advertising of Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan, the governor-elect of Bangkok, claiming that the signs exceeded size limits and were illegal. Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan’s legal team clarified that his campaign has fully complied with all laws and regulations concerning election campaigning, having consulted, inquired, and notified the Election Commission (EC) at every stage before proceeding. The details are as follows:
1. Advertising media affixed to public buses, the Blue Line MRT, and electronic screens are not considered “campaign signs” or “campaign announcements” as defined by the EC’s regulations on campaign methods and prohibited practices for local elections of 2020, and thus are not subject to size or quantity restrictions.
According to the EC regulations on campaign methods and prohibited practices for local elections of 2020, a “campaign sign” is defined as a sign made of paper, board, or similar durable material, bearing messages or images created by the candidate for election campaigning. Such signs must be rectangular and fixed to wooden or metal frames or attached to parts of buildings or fixed locations.
Similarly, “campaign announcements” are defined as materials made of paper or similar substances bearing messages or images for election campaigning, typically printed on paper-like material and affixed to buildings, boards, or immovable objects only.
Moreover, these EC regulations do not prohibit other forms of campaigning. This is evident as “documents” or “videos” used in campaigning must include producer and creator information (clause 23). Interpreting these EC rules and announcements shows that election law permits campaign methods beyond traditional signs and announcements. Thus, the law allows other forms of campaigning beyond just “campaign announcements” or “campaign signs.”
From the above legal provisions, the advertising media Mr. Chatchat placed on public buses and the Blue Line MRT, made of stickers—not paper or signs attached to buildings or fixed places—but affixed to mobile vehicles, do not qualify as campaign announcements or campaign signs.
Therefore, the advertising placed by Mr. Chatchat’s team on public buses, Blue Line MRT doors, and electronic screens is not a campaign sign or campaign announcement as defined by the EC’s 2020 regulations, and thus not subject to size or quantity limits, nor are there any rules forbidding or regulating their size or quantity.
2. The EC’s 2020 announcement on expense types for local elections allows other forms of campaigning, provided expenses are included. In addition to the advertising on public buses not fitting the definitions of “campaign signs” or “campaign announcements,” the EC’s announcement includes election expenses such as “...(4) advertising costs in various media, including print media, broadcast production, and other advertising for campaigning (5) costs for making signs, documents, and printed materials used in campaigning...”
This means the EC permits election advertising in other media forms beyond campaign announcements and signs, as long as the expenses are reported to the EC. The legal team previously submitted a letter titled "Notification of Campaign Advertising by Sticker Placement on Public Buses" dated 29 May 2026 to the EC.
Furthermore, the EC has responded regarding campaigning on public buses stating, “8. Regarding inquiry 7 about expenses for renting advertising space on public vehicles: Election candidates must include these as campaign expenses. Therefore, such expenses must be calculated within the candidate’s election spending limit as announced by the provincial election director under Section 60 of the 2019 Local Election Act.
9. Regarding inquiries 8 and 9 about whether campaign signs on public buses classify the vehicle as a 'campaign vehicle' under clause 23(3) of the EC’s 2020 campaign regulations for local elections: If a public bus owner leases advertising space for election campaigning, the bus remains a general passenger vehicle (only hosting campaign ads). The rented advertising space is not considered a campaign vehicle per se, but the candidate must count this as campaign expense. If the candidate directly employs the vehicle as a campaign vehicle, they must comply with the regulations accordingly. This must also comply with laws related to public transport operators such as the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).”
Additionally, on 4 June 2026, the EC and Bangkok election director held a training session on harmonious elections for Bangkok governor and council candidates, aiming to ensure lawful campaigning. Mr. Rottree Samphan Saengkhamlert, Bangkok election director, clearly stated that campaigning on public buses is permitted and is not classified as campaign signs with size restrictions, only requiring inclusion in campaign expenses.
“We ask that attendees of Ms. Mallika’s lecture at the King Prajadhipok's Institute, and the general public, understand that Mr. Chatchat Sitthiphan’s campaign fully complies with all laws and regulations concerning election campaigning. We urge those making references to carefully verify related laws and regulations before making public comments to avoid public misunderstanding.”